If you’re craving a soup that’s both indulgently rich and comforting, look no further than the Extra Creamy Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup. This dish combines all the best elements of a classic cheeseburger in a warm, velvety soup that simmers to perfection throughout the day. Whether you’re feeding family or friends, this soup offers creamy goodness with hearty beef, melty cheese, and tender potatoes, making it a true crowd-pleaser anyone can make with ease.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless cooking: Toss all the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do the work without constant stirring or monitoring.
Ultimate comfort food: Creamy texture paired with savory beef and cheese hits every cozy food craving.
Family-friendly flavors: Acts as a hearty, kid-approved meal with familiar cheeseburger ingredients.
Cost-effective ingredients: Uses simple pantry staples that won’t stretch your grocery budget.
Perfect for leftovers: The soup tastes even better the next day once flavors have fully melded.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of the Extra Creamy Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup lies in its straightforward ingredients, each chosen to build layers of flavor while maintaining that luscious creaminess you crave. Below are the essentials that come together effortlessly.

Ground beef: Provides rich, hearty flavor and protein for the base of the soup.
Potatoes: Adds comforting, tender texture and makes the soup more filling.
Cheddar cheese: Melts perfectly into the broth, creating that iconic cheeseburger taste.
Onion and garlic: Give aromatic depth and mild zing without overpowering.
Heavy cream or half and half: Brings the signature creaminess and smooth mouthfeel.
Beef broth: Acts as a savory, flavorful liquid base that infuses throughout the soup.
Mustard and Worcestershire sauce: Add subtle tang and umami for complexity.
Seasonings and herbs: Salt, pepper, and thyme balance the richness beautifully.

Variations for Extra Creamy Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup

Feel free to get creative with this recipe! It’s incredibly adaptable, so you can easily tailor it to your dietary needs or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Here are some fun ways to switch things up.

Turkey or chicken option: Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter twist.
Vegetarian version: Replace beef with lentils or chopped mushrooms for plant-based protein.
Different cheese blends: Use Colby Jack, smoked gouda, or pepper jack for varied flavors.
Spicy kick: Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat.
Extra veggies: Stir in finely chopped carrots, celery, or bell peppers for added nutrition.

Why Extra Creamy Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup Beats Others

How to Make Extra Creamy Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup

Step 1: Brown the ground beef

Start by heating a skillet over medium-high heat and cooking the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up into small pieces. Drain excess fat to keep the soup from being greasy.

Step 2: Prep your veggies

While the beef cooks, chop potatoes, dice onions, and mince garlic. These add bulk and aromatic flavor to balance the richness of the cheese and cream.

Step 3: Combine ingredients in the slow cooker

Add the browned beef, potatoes, onions, garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings directly into your slow cooker. Give everything a gentle stir to mix.

Step 4: Slow cook

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until potatoes are tender and flavors have melded beautifully.

Step 5: Add dairy and cheese

About 30 minutes before serving, stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt completely and create that irresistibly creamy texture.

Step 6: Final seasoning and serve

Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs as needed, then ladle into bowls and get ready to enjoy!

Pro Tips for Making Extra Creamy Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup

Use full-fat dairy: Opt for heavy cream or half and half to achieve the richest, creamiest texture.
Brown beef properly: Taking time to brown and drain the ground beef prevents greasy soup and enhances flavor.
Don’t skip the Worcestershire: This ingredient adds subtle depth that amps up the cheeseburger essence.
Add cheese gradually: Stir in cheese near the end of cooking to prevent it from becoming stringy or oily.
Choose waxy potatoes: Varieties like Yukon Gold hold their shape better, providing perfect texture after slow cooking.

How to Serve Extra Creamy Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup

Garnishes

Finish your soup with classic burger toppings like crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, diced pickles, or a sprinkle of shredded cheese for texture and visual appeal.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside crusty artisan bread, buttery dinner rolls, or a fresh green salad to balance the richness and round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve the soup inside a hollowed-out sourdough bread bowl or offer mini grilled cheese sandwiches for dipping to fully capture that cheeseburger experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover cheeseburger soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen after resting, making for an even tastier meal later.

Freezing

This soup freezes well if you skip adding cream and cheese before freezing; add those fresh upon reheating to maintain creamy texture and taste.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, and add a splash of broth or cream if it has thickened too much.

FAQs

Can I use lean ground beef for this soup?

Absolutely! Lean ground beef works well and helps reduce fat content, but make sure to brown it thoroughly and drain any excess grease for the best result.

Is this soup suitable for low-carb diets?

To make it low-carb, substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets and ensure you use a low-carb broth and cheese without additives.

Can I make this soup in an Instant Pot instead of a slow cooker?

Yes, you can pressure cook it in an Instant Pot by sautéing beef and onions first, then cooking all ingredients under high pressure for about 10 minutes.

What’s the best cheese to use?

Sharp cheddar cheese is classic and melts melts beautifully, but you can experiment with Colby, Monterey Jack, or a blend for different flavors.

How to thicken the soup if it’s too thin?

If the soup is thinner than you’d like, stir in a slurry of cornstarch and cold water, then simmer for a few minutes until thickened to your preferred consistency.

Final Thoughts

The Extra Creamy Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup is a total game-changer in the world of comfort food. It’s simple enough for busy weeknights but luxurious enough to satisfy even the pickiest hunger. Give this recipe a try and watch how it quickly becomes a cherished favorite in your home, delivering warm, creamy, cheeseburger-inspired goodness every single time.

Extra Creamy Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup

Print Recipe

Extra Creamy Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup is a rich and comforting soup that captures all the classic cheeseburger flavors in a warm, velvety broth. It combines hearty ground beef, tender potatoes, melty cheddar cheese, and aromatic onions and garlic, simmered low and slow for a luscious texture. Perfect for family meals, this easy-to-make soup offers ultimate comfort food with simple pantry ingredients and is even better as leftovers.

Author: Lina
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Soup
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
4 cups potatoes, peeled and diced (preferably Yukon Gold)
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste

Dairy & Cheese

1 cup heavy cream or half and half
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Optional Garnishes

Crispy bacon bits
Chopped green onions
Diced pickles
Additional shredded cheese

Instructions

Brown the ground beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until fully browned and cooked through, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess fat to prevent the soup from becoming greasy.
Prep your veggies: While the beef cooks, peel and dice the potatoes, dice the onion, and mince the garlic to balance the richness of the soup with aromatic and tender textures.
Combine ingredients in the slow cooker: Add the browned beef, diced potatoes, onions, garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper directly into your slow cooker. Stir gently to mix all ingredients.
Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are tender and the flavors have fully melded.
Add dairy and cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese, allowing them to melt completely and produce a creamy, velvety texture.
Final seasoning and serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasonings with additional salt, pepper, or thyme if needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish as desired before serving.

Notes

Use full-fat dairy such as heavy cream or half and half for the richest and creamiest soup texture.
Properly browning and draining the ground beef prevents a greasy soup and enhances depth of flavor.
Worcestershire sauce adds important umami complexity to replicate the cheeseburger flavor.
Add cheese gradually near the end of cooking to avoid excessive oiliness or stringiness.
Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold to maintain texture after slow cooking.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 350
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 550mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: cheeseburger soup, slow cooker soup, creamy soup, ground beef soup, comfort food, slow cooker recipe